First indigenous federal magistrate

The federal government has appointed the first indigenous lawyer to the bench of a federal court among four judicial appointments announced on Thursday.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said Kirsty Macmillan and Anne Rees have been appointed as judges of the Family Court of Australia while Ronald Curtain and Matthew Myers will sit on the benches of the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr McClelland acknowledged Mr Myers's achievement in becoming the first indigenous lawyer appointed to a federal court.

Mr Myers will work in the Sydney registry of the Federal Magistrates Court while Mr Curtain will sit on the Melbourne bench, and they will begin their appointments in January.

Ms Macmillan has been appointed to the Melbourne registry of the Family Court while Ms Rees will work in Sydney and both are set to begin their appointments this month.